Circle ball game



Sept. 20, 1938- -A. H. TRUMBULL CIRCLE BALL GAME Filed Aug. 5, 1935 -2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept. 20, 1938. A. H. TRUMBULL CIRCLE BALL GAME Filed Aug. 5. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i It .1 l in Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE Application August 5,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful im provements in games and has particular relation to a circle ball game.

An object of the invention is to provide a portable game which can be easily set up and taken down and which may be played in various surroundings as on land, or ice, or in the water, as a bathing pool, at the beach or the like.

Another object is to provide a game apparatus of simple construction but embodying many novel features and which being adapted for use under widely differing conditions will have a general appeal.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In'the drawings:

Fig. lis a side elevational View showing a simplified form of apparatus to be used in the present game;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof portions of the base being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the base of Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the layout of the playing field;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a base for the device including a float so that it may be used for playing the game in the water;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view showing the float anchored in the water;

Fig. '7 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a more comprehensive apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. '7 the base being omitted;

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a portion of the base of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a plan view on an enlarged scaleand showing the intermediate portion of the basket support;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line H|I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail elevational view on an enlarged scale showing a means to be manually actuated to project a ball for play;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view at right angles to Fig. 12; and s Fig. 14 is an elevational view on an enlarged scale showing a detail.

Referring in detail to the drawings and at first particularly to Figs. 1 through 3, at H] is generally indicated a base comprising a central casting or hub portion H having a vertically arranged internally screw threaded nipple l2 and having 1935, Serial No. 34,778

horizontally arranged hollow portions 13 open at their outer ends as shown best in Fig. 1. To give the base greater effective area and thereby greater stability lengths of rods or pipe It are provided, and each has an end introduced into one of the hollow portions 13 and clamped or secured therein as by a set screw I5.

An upright l6 comprising one or more sections of pipe has its lower end screw threaded into the nipple l2. As shown, upright 16 comprises pipe sections ll and i8 connected by a nipple is although it is to be understood that the upright may comprise but one pipe section of the desired length or it may comprise a greater number of sections than shown. Preferably a plurality of sections are used since then when the apparatus is taken down all the parts will be in short lengths for convenient portability.

Swivelly mounted on the upper end portion of the upright 16 is a support 29 to the opposite sides of which are attached goal baskets 2i and 22. These are preferably similar to basket ball baskets and may comprise a circular frame 21a of flat strip iron secured to the member it by suitable screws and carrying the regulation mesh or net baskets 2i and 22 open at their lower ends. In addition to being turnable about the upright, support 20 is also slidable vertically thereon and to hold the support in position and maintain the baskets at the desired height a collar 23 is adjustable vertically on the upright and is held in the desired position by a set screw 24. On loosening the screw 24 collar 23 may be shifted to the desired position, and since the lower end of the support 20 rests on this collar the support and the baskets it carries will be adjusted vertically with the collar. In the drawings a knob 25 is arranged at the upper end of upright IE but its purpose is purely ornamental and it does not clamp the support 28, which with its baskets is freely turnable about the upright.

The apparatus is preferably to be used on a court marked off as shown in Fig. 4 (although it is not confined to use with such a court) wherein 26 designates a border circle and 21 a goal circle, relatively small with respect to the circle 26 and concentric with the latter. Diagonal lines 28 and 29 cross one another and divide the circles 26 and 2'1 and the spacebetween such circles into four equal parts, and arranged on said lines within the space between the circles 26 and 2'! and equally spaced from one another are four relatively small guard circles 30, 3|, 32 and 33. Preferably the respective end portions of the lines 28 and 29 are marked N, S, E, W, for North, South, East and West.

When the apparatus is arranged on the court of Fig. 4 the center of the base Ill of the apparatus is located at the intersection of the lines 28 and 29, or the center of the large circles, as

shown. In this connection it is noted that preferably the border circle 26 is fifty feet in diameter while the goal circle 21 is approximately twelve feet in diameter, and each guard circle is in the neighborhood of four feet in diameter, but these dimensions may be changed to suit conditions or as found desirable.

The rules and regulations as to fouls, penalties, playing time, ball used, and the like are or may be the same as in regulation basketball. There should be five players on each team and all playing is done between the border and goal circles,

and crossing of these circles is out of bounds. In

order that each team may instantly recognize which is its goal basket the baskets are preferably of different colors, although other means of marking as to distinguish them from each other may be used. At the start of the game the team captains each choose a basket and the course of direction their teams shall take to complete a circle and thereby obtain a free shot at the basket as will later be explained.

One team plays clockwise and the other counterclockwise. At the half the teams change the course of direction but may retain the same baskets. Preferably the game starts with jumpball at the north guard circle 30, changing to east, south and west at the respective quarters; of the game or to the guard circles 3|, 32 and 33. The players line up one man of each team in each guard circle and the fifth man of each team is behind his tapper at the jump ball position. There is no restriction, beyond the border and goal circles, on the movement of the player once the ball is in play.

In playing the game each team attempts to complete a circle by passing or dribbling the ball over five consecutive quarter lines, one team trying to do this in a clockwise direction around the court and the other team in the anti-clockwise direction, and when this is accomplished the team is entitled to a free shot at its basket from any selected one of the guard circles. The last player to touch the ball in completing the circle is entitled to a free shot, and if the basket is made three points are scored for the team. The players shooting the basket must straddle one of the quarter lines, and it will be understood that to complete the circle the ball must pass over five quarter lines with the same team continuously in possession of the ball. A player may shoot a basket at any time or from any position while the ball is in play before the circle is completed, and if successful his team receives one point. On fouls the position for shooting is the same as for the free shot but only one point may be scored for each foul. On the making of a basket the ball is dead and must be tapped from the jump ball position, and if at any time a player makes a wrong basket the point or points are-scored to the opposing team.

Since the support 23 is freely turnable about the upright I 6 it will be apparent that a ball thrown at the basket but engaging the ring at the mouth of the latter will cause the support and the baskets to turn with respect to the upright. Therefore, it will be understood that the positions of the baskets will be repeatedly changed as the game progresses, and thatit is important that the baskets be differently colored or have some other distinguishing feature so that each player may instantly recognize which basket he is trying for. Fig. 2 by the dotted lines suggests that the baskets may be moved relative to the upright.

When the apparatus is not in use it may be disassembled and stored in a relatively small space since on loosening of the screws IS the pipe sections it may be removed from the base piece or hub H and arranged in side-by-side relation. Further, the support 26 and the baskets may be lifted off the upright l6 and the pipe sections comprising the latter may be disconnected and then will be relatively short and may be arranged in side-by-side relation. From this it will be seen that when the apparatus is disassembled it will occupy a relatively small space for storage or shipment and is easily portable. The court of Fig. 4 is preferably laid out on a lawn or the like, although it will be appreciated that it might be laid out on the frozen surface of a pond or swimming pool, on the bottom of a swimming pool, or in any other suitable location. The support with the baskets may be set in a swimming pool with the base I8 resting on the bottom of the pool. The height of the baskets may be regulated as desired for the depth of water by using different lengths of pipe I! or 3- or by adjusting the head 28 up or down on the pipe.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a base or support which may be used when the game is to be played in a bathing pool or at the shore or the like and it is preferred not or undesirable to have it rest on the bottom. In such figures the base in the form of a float is generally designated 3 and includes a series of planks 35 arranged in side-by-side relation and secured together as by crossbolts 36. Around the outer edge of the platform thus built up there is arranged a rubber pumper 3'! to prevent the players from becoming injured by contact with the edge of the platform. To the underside of the platform there may be secured an air tight tank 38, and such tank may be provided with an annular flange through which pass bolts 39 securing it to the platform and additional bolts 40 may pass through the tank and the platform and be secured with wing nuts ll as shown.

A cross plank 42 is nailed or otherwise secured to the planks 35 and in turn has secured to it a casting or hub 43 adapted to receive the lower end portion of an upright 44 corresponding with the upright iii of Fig. 1. Upright M preferably has a sliding fit into the casting 33 and as shown is secured to the latter by a set screw &5. An eye 46 is welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the drum 38 and a cable M connects any suitable anchor 48 to said eye. The anchor limits movement of the base 34 preventing the latter from floating away. If this apparatus is used in a pool, then the various circles, etc. may be-painted on the bottom of the pool. This device may also be used on land if desired as the base will rest on the ground. In this case the float may be removed as it is preferably attached so as to be readily disconnected from the base. When used in the water at a beach or lake the court lines of course will be imaginary, and this may also be true in a swimming pool. When playing on the landa regulation basket ball is used, but when playing in the water it is preferable to use a waterproof ball as of rubber.

Figs. '7 through 14 disclose an apparatus to be used substantially the same as the apparatus of Figs. 1 through 4 but which is more complete and is considered as a regulation apparatus. Referring now particularly to Figs. 7 through 14 at 49 is generally indicated a base from which extends an upright 50 on the upper end portion of which is turnably mounted a support 5i carrying a pair.

of goal baskets 52 and 53 corresponding with'the baskets 2| and 22 previously described.

Base 49 comprises a central member or hub 54 having a vertically extending tubular portion 55 to slidably receive the lower end portion of the upright 56 and the latter may be secured in the former on tightening of the set screw 56. A pair of angle members 5'! are secured to the under side of the member 54' and to such angle members there are bolted or otherwise secured a series of straps 5B the outer ends of which are bent over and riveted or otherwise secured to a relatively larger diameter ring 59. A platform like disc rests on the members 58 and comprises a part of the base being clamped between the base member 54 and the angle members With the described construction it will be apparent that a large diameter light weight base is provided whereby the upright 50 will be held against tilt- As here shown the upright 59 comprises a lower pipe section GI and an upper section 62 the said sections being connected by a nipple 53. A collar 64 is secured to the upper portion of the up right as by a set screw 65 and in turn limits downward movement of the basket support 5! on the upright but does not interfere with turning movement of said support. Such support is shown as comprising a tubular portion 85 disposed about the upper end of the pipe section 62, and further comprises an upper annular wall 6'! defining a receptacle 68 open at its upper end. According to the present plan the rings defining the entrances to the goal baskets are secured to the annular wall 6'! of the support by suitable screws 52a.

The receptacle 68 is of such size as to partially receive the basketball 69 as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 11 and means are provided for projecting or throwing the ball out of said receptacle to start the play. To this end the support 5! is so located with respect to the upright that the upper end of the upright projects slightly above the bottom wall of the receptacle 68. Within said receptacle about the projecting portion of the upright is a disc 10 and such disc is turnable about the upright and simply rests on the bottom wall of the receptacle 63 so as to be capable of turning with and relative to the support 5! as will later be more fully described, the friction of this disc on the bottom wall being reduced by providing it with a circular rib or boss Illa.

A strap-like member H extends across the upper end of the support 5!! and has one end pivot-.

ally mounted on a pin 12 carried by a pair of ears 13 formed with or attached to the disc 10. From this it will be understood that the member H moves with the disc 68. Within the upper end portion of the upright there is arranged a cup-like member 13 at the upper end of which is a flange 14 resting on the upright and the lower end of which is substantially closed by a wall 15 having a centrally located opening therein for the passage of a rod 16. Within the cup i3 about the rop 16 there is arranged a coil spring H, and such spring at its lower end bears against the bottom wall of the cup and at its upper end bears against a washer or stop '58 fixed to the rod. From this itwill be understood that the spring when compressed is normally tending to project the rod upwardly through the open end of the cup and into engagement with the member H A casting 19 is located within the upright section 52 and is screw threaded to the lower end of the rod 16 at and such casting is provided intermediate its ends with a slot BI and at its lower end with a head-like portion 82 carrying pins or studs 83 projecting through slots 84 in opposite sides of the pipe section 62. Extending through and having bearing in opposite walls of the section 62 is a pin or bolt 85, and secured on said bolt at the outer sides of the pipe section are similar cams 86 and 81. To the bolt at one side of the cam 86 there is also secured a hand piece 88 which at its rear end portion is further secured to the cam at 89 and at its front end is provided with a handle or finger piece 90;

When the pipe sections 6! and G2 are connected to form the upright 58 a disc 9! is clamped between said sections and such disc has a centrally arranged opening through which passes a guide rod 92 connected with the lower end of the casting 19. Below the disc a nut 93 is thread ed onto the rod so as to limit upward movement of the rod through the disc. In this connection it is noted that the bolt above referred to passes through the slot 8| in the casting l9 and will not therefore interfere with vertical movement of the casting.

In the drawings the member ii is shown as occupying a horizontal position extending across the open upper end of the cup 13. The cams 86 and 81 each include a curved wall 94 and a substantially straight wall 95. Assuming that the ball is in position on the member H and that play is to be started the proper person rocks the lever 88 downwardly to carry the cams to the dotted line position of Fig. 12. This releases the pins 83 from the cams and the spring l1 forces the rod '56 and the parts carried thereby upwardly. The upper end of the rod strikes the member TI and throws the ball out of the recess 68 and into play. Upward movement of the member H under the influence of spring Tl is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 11.

To reset the ball projecting apparatus the I lever 88 is turned in a clockwise direction im parting a similar movement to the cams and as the curved edges of the cams ride against the pins 83 the latter are forced downwardly and a acting through the casting l9, rod i6 and washer l3 serve to compress the spring ll, it and the other mentioned parts being moved into the full line positions of Fig. 11, and is set ready to be again operated when the ball is next to be put,

in play.

Preferably the baskets 52 and 53 are differently colored so as to be readily distinguishable (although other distinguishing features may be used) and it will be apparent that as one or y the other of the baskets are struck by a thrown ball the baskets will be turned about the upright. The disc T0 and the member H carried thereby may move with the support 5! and the baskets or the support and baskets may on occasion move relative to the disc. When a basket is struck a good sharp blow by a ball the baskets and support will be turned about the upright while the disc "H remains stationary or is moved only slightly due to its inertia. Therefore, it will be impossible for a player to determine in advance the direction in which the ball will be thrown on release of the spring "5?.

If the arrangement were such that the disc 10 always moved with the support 5i then the ball would always be thrown in the same direction with respect to the baskets so that players could determine in advance the direction in which the ball would be thrown. However, since the disc and member H will sometimes move, with the support :56 and at other times will not. move with it there is no telling in advance the angle at which the ball will be thrown. This changing of the relative positions of; the parts is suggested by the dotted line positions of the member H in Fig. 10. This throw device for the ball may be used with the smaller stand construction of Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5 if desired.

A member 91 is secured to the upright 50, and such member as shown comprises a casting including a split tubular portion 98 embracing the upright and clamped against it at the desired eleyation by a bolt 95, which, as shown in Fig. 14, partially enters a notch H30 in the upright when the bolt is tightened whereby to, positively prevent vertical movement of the member along the upright. Formed integrally with the tubular portion of the member 9'! is a radially extending piece in! providing a step whereby to enable a player to reach high enough to deposit the ball in the receptacle 58. If desired, the upper surface of the step 0| may be roughened as shown best in Fig. 9.

Member 9? also includes a disc or flange-like portion I92 to which are connected the upper ends of radial deflector springs. As shown these comprise coil springs I 63 and the lower end of each such spring is connected with a piece N34 to which is also connected the upper ends of a pair of the springs 35 which have their lower and outer ends connected with the ring 59. The arrangement is such that the springs are maintained under tension so that when the ball drops or is thrown onto the springs the ball will be thrown outwardly onto the playing field. If the springs are omitted a ball when thrown at a basket may drop to the ground closely adjacent the upright and become a dead ball requiring that it again be projected from the receptacle 6,8 into play. When the springs are used, if the ball drops onto them, it will bounce out into the playing field. In certain instances it may not be necessary to double the number of springs adjacent the ring 59. For example, if the ring is of relatively small diameter the outer or lower ends of the springs will not be unduly spread apart because of the increase of the diameter of the ring 59 with respect to the diameter of the ring-like part I02 to which the upper ends of the springs are connected. However, where the ring 59 is of large diameter it is preferred to double the number of springs adjacent the ring so that there will be no likelihood of a ball passing through the springs.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a game apparatus, an upright, a support on and turnable about the upright, a pair of goal baskets on said support, said support including a portion for supporting a playing ball, and means operating with a trigger-like action for projecting the ball from the support for play and loosely mounted on the support so as to throw the ball at unknown angles.

2. In a game apparatus, an upright, a support on and turnable about the upright, a pair of goal baskets on said support, means on and turnable with and relative to the support and including a horizontally pivoted member adapted to have a playing ball disposed on it, spring means for forcing said member upwardly about its pivot to throw the ball into play, and trigger like means controlling operation of said spring means.

3. In a game apparatus, an upright, a support on and turnable about the upright, a pair of goal baskets on said support, means on and turnable with and relative to the support and including a horizontally pivoted member extending across the upper end of said upright and adapted to have a playing ball disposed on it, a rod Vertically movable through the upper end of said upright, a spring for projecting said rod upwardly to have it engage said member and force it upwardly to throw the ball into play, and cam means operable by a rotary movement to draw said rod downwardly against the action of the spring and thereafter on further rotary movement release the rod for actuation by the spring.

4. In a game apparatus, an upright, a support on and turnable about the upright, a pair of goal baskets on said support, means on and turnable with and relative to the support and including a vertically movable member extending across the upper end of said upright and adapted to have a playing ball disposed on it, a rod vertically movable through the upper end of said upright, a spring for projecting said rod upwardly to have it engage said member and force it upwardly to throw the ball into play, and cam means on said upright at the outer side thereof below said support and operable by a rotary movement to draw said rod downwardly against the action of the spring and thereafter on further rotary movement release the rod for actuation by the spring.

5. In a game apparatus, a base, an upright supported by the base, a support on the upper portion of said upright, a goal basket on said support, and inclined deflector means between the base and upright and adapted on being engaged by a ball to throw the same outwardly with respect to the upright.

6. In a game apparatus, a base including an annular part, an upright supported by the base, a support on the upright, a goal basket on said support, a member secured to the upright above the base, and tensioned deflector springs extend.- ing at an incline between said member and the annular base part and adapted on being engaged by a ball to throw the same outwardly away from the upright.

'7. In a game apparatus, an upright, a support turnable about said upright, a. pair of goal baskets on said support, and a ball support and projector on said upright and first support for throwing a ball into play from the first support.

8. In a game apparatus, an upright, a support turnable about said upright, a pair of goal baskets on said support, a ball support and projector on said upright and first support for throwing a ball into play from the first support, and means whereby said projector is operable to throw the ball at different angles relative to the support and baskets. I V

9. In a game apparatus, an upright, a support turnable about said upright, a pair of goal baskets on said support, a horizontally pivoted member movable with and relative to said support and adapted to have a ball placed thereon, and spring operated means for snapping said member upwardly about its pivot to throw a ball into play.

ALEXANDER H. 'I'RUMBULL. 

